"[W]e believe every nation is capable of fighting corruption, is
capable of putting good economic policies in place. . . . Developing
nations have responded . . . by fighting corruption . . . and passing
new laws that reward enterprise from their people."

President George W. Bush - November 20, 2004

Presidential Action

Today, President Bush and other APEC leaders took a determined step
in fighting corruption throughout the APEC region by launching the
Santiago Commitment to Fight Corruption and Ensure Transparency and the
APEC Course of Action on Fighting Corruption and Ensuring
Transparency. They also commenced the APEC Anticorruption and
Transparency Capacity Building Program to help developing economies
meet their anticorruption commitments.

Fighting Corruption in APEC: Proposed by the United States together
with Chile and South Korea, the Santiago Commitment and the Course of
Action on Fighting Corruption and Ensuring Transparency commit APEC
members to:

Deny safe haven to officials and individuals guilty of corruption,
those who corrupt them, and their assets

Implement anticorruption policies and practices consistent with
the UN Convention Against Corruption

Implement the APEC Transparency Standards, with particular
emphasis on government procurement and customs procedures

Encourage collaboration to fight corruption and ensure
transparency, including through cooperation with other
multilateral and regional intergovernmental institutions

Assisting Developing Economies in Fighting Corruption: President
Bush joined leaders from Australia, Chile, China, Japan, and South
Korea in helping APEC developing economies fight corruption through the
newly-established Anticorruption and Transparency (ACT) Capacity
Building Program. This program provides assistance to help APEC
developing economies achieve the anticorruption commitments announced
today. In support of this initiative, the United States will
contribute $2.5 million over four years, and add a regional APEC
Anticorruption Advisor to assist APEC's efforts in promoting the rule
of law and a culture of integrity.

Background -- Presidential Leadership in Fighting Corruption:
Corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social
development, according to the World Bank. The direct costs of bribery
alone to national economies are estimated to be over one trillion
dollars each year. Today's actions by APEC members, led by the United
States, build upon President Bush's leadership in implementing a robust
international transparency and anticorruption agenda, including:

Denying safe haven to corrupt officials

Launching the Millennium
Challenge Account that provides U.S. development assistance to
those countries that fight corruption, rule justly, invest in their
people, and encourage economic freedom

Launching the G-8 Sea Island Fighting Corruption and Improving
Transparency Initiative (promoting high standards of transparency in
public financial management, procurement, the letting of public
concessions, and the granting of licenses)

Leading international efforts to gain agreement on the United
Nations Convention Against Corruption

Strengthening the OECD monitoring of the Anti-Bribery Convention
Initiating and supporting the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption
and Safeguarding Integrity process